KATHMANDU, AUG 08 - With the date scheduled for declaring a Janajati party approaching fast, ethnic leaders are sharply divided over the announcement of a new party on August 9.
A national gathering of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (Nefin) held in the first week of July had decided to form a new party.
While leaders like Pashang Sherpa are all set to form such a party, ethnic leaders of big parties and a faction led by Nefin General Secretary Aangkaji Sherpa have clearly stood against an announcement on August 9.
Despite pressure piled by Aang Kaji and ethnic leaders of big parties, the Pasang group said the party will be announced on August 9 at any cost.
The two-day meeting of a taskforce comprising Chaitanya Subba, Krishna Bhattachan, Shanti Rai, Pashang Sherpa, Shankar Limbu, Nanda Kandangwa, Joyti Danuwar, Mahendra Lawati and Jit Pal Kirat, held in Dhulikhel, Kavre, two days ago agreed to announce the party formation.
Pashang Sherpa told the Post that the taskforce is prepared for the announcement. He said preparations are underway to announce a 100-member party through a general convention.
According to their schedule, the party's name, manifesto and Construction Coordination Committee will be announced on August 9.
"Some friends of NEFIN and ethnic leaders of big parties are asking not to declare the party now. But we think that this is the right time to do so," said Pasang.
"They can join us later if they want to, but we are not in the mood to postpone the announcement.''
A highly-placed source told the Post that a group of Janajati leaders, including UML Vice-chairman Ashok Rai, Rajendra Shrestha and Aang Kaji Sherpa, are joining the UCPN-Maoist party.
The source claimed that the leaders have held several rounds of meetings with Maoist Chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal. According to their plan, they are likely to enter the Maoist fold soon after the party's general convention scheduled for January-end next year.
Aang Kaji Sherpa said his team does not support the announcement of the new party in haste. He said it will be a "big mistake" if they do not wait for leaders like Ashok Rai. According to him, Rai and his team are likely to formally break up with their party on August 9.
"I am firm on the formation of a new Janajati party, but that would not happen overnight like some people are thinking. A party can't be formed by making a concept in a closed room, it needs a lot of homework. It takes time," said Aang Kaji.
While he did not deny the possibility of them joining the Maoist party, he said it will not happen anytime soon. "Anything can happen in politics, but right now there isnt such a likelihood. At least for some months I have no intention of joining any party," he said.
Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/08/08/top-story/jannati-leaders-divided-over-party-formation/358413/
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